USC

Halloween: Trojan Style

USC students and staff are celebrating with unique costumes and personas, even on a school day.

Image of professors in halloween costumes.
Pictured left to right: Sabrina Chong, Hue Wang, Helena Seli, Tara Harding, Arcadia Le Vias Chukwudifu. (Photo by Alyssa Peccatiello)

Despite Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, USC has been alive with festivities and people dressed up in all sorts of costumes.

A group of professors and instructors from the Rossier School of Education went all out in chicken, duck and ostrich inflatable suits.

Helena Seli, a professor of clinical education, said that the group aimed to bring joy and cheer to students today, especially as stress levels seem to rise during this busy season. The group walked around campus together and handed out candy to students passing by.

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Haley Minish dressed up as Mia Thermopolis from "The Princess Diaries." (Photo by Alyssa Peccatiello)

Haley Minish works at the International Academy at USC. This Halloween, she dressed up as Mia Thermopolis from “The Princess Diaries” movies.

Minish said that her costume inspiration came from people telling her that she looks like Anne Hathaway, the actress who plays Mia. Minish’s Halloween plans include carving pumpkins with friends and going out to West Hollywood.

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Michael Young and Nicole Concepcion dressed up as “Avatar: The Last Airbender” characters. (Photo by Alyssa Peccatiello)

Michael Young and Nicole Concepcion dressed up as Sokka and Katara from the TV series “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

“I feel like we definitely embody the personalities of the characters,” said Concepcion, a senior computer science major. They said that Sokka and Katara are the best duo in the show.

Concepcion and Young’s Halloween plans included tabling for Troy Philippines, a USC Filipino student club. They referred to this fundraising event as “Halo-Halloween,” as they made Halo-Halo, a traditional Filipino dessert and ube crinkle cookies to gather funds for the club.

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Kamryn Tate dressed up as the Democratic presidential candidate. (Photo by Alyssa Peccatiello)

Kamryn Tate, a junior theater acting major, dressed up as Vice President Kamala Harris today.

Kamryn walked around campus with her phone and tripod to interview students on whether they’ve voted yet, and why or why not.

“I dressed up as Kamala Harris today to have a fun sense of humor when it comes down to voter activism,” Kamryn said. “It’s something I’m very passionate about.”

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Pictured left to right: Sira-Marie Mahoi and Mj Manning as Damian and Regina George from “Mean Girls” and Temi Salaam as a reindeer. (Photo by Alyssa Peccatiello)

Sira-Marie Mahoi, a junior theater major, and Mj Manning, a sophomore acting major, dressed up as Damian and Regina George from “Mean Girls.”

The duo explained that they both owned the outfit components already and that it would be fun to dress up as characters from the same movie.

Temi Salaam, a sophomore acting major, dressed up as a reindeer after searching through her box of miscellaneous costume pieces.

All three plan to spend the evening with friends at Halloween parties.

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Sofia Alonso dressed up as a character from the popular manga "Jujutsu Kaisen." (Photo by Alyssa Peccatiello)

Sofia Alonso, a senior Geodesign major, wore a Nurse Kenjaku costume from the “Jujutsu Kaisen” manga. Her plans today included going to work and school.

This Halloween, USC took creativity seriously and raised the bar with costumes from various movies, TV shows and celebrities.

Parties and celebrations for the big day began as early as last weekend, with various clubs and organizations continuing to hold festivities through the upcoming weekend.

This spooky season fostered excitement and creativity and made room for scarier things than just midterms and deadlines.